- Company moves into clinical phase with 'Sonolight' Technology -
Trading Symbol: AAF:TSX Venture Exchange
EDMONTON, Sept. 1 /CNW/ - Altachem Pharma Ltd. ("Altachem" or "the
Company") announced today that it has received clearance from the Therapeutic
Products Directorate of Health Canada to initiate a Phase I clinical trial to
investigate the topical application of its lead photodynamic therapy (PDT)
compound ACP-SL017 as a treatment for Actinic Keratosis, a potentially serious
pre-cancerous skin condition. The Principal Investigator for the trial is
Dr. Jaggi Rao MD, FRCPC, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Dermatology
and Cutaneous Science at the University of Alberta and Fellow of the American
Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.
"This is a major milestone for Altachem" said Dr. David Cox, President
and CEO. "It marks the transition of Altachem to a clinical phase company
after many years in pre-clinical development of this PDT technology. All the
necessary approvals and logistics are now in place and we expect to commence
enrolment very soon. We anticipate that the trial will be complete before year
end."
This clinical trial is a controlled, randomized, open label, dose
escalation Phase I study for the topical application of ACP-SL017 Topical Gel
to patients with actinic keratoses. The study is designed to determine the
cutaneous and systemic toxicity of topically applied ACP-SL017 with and
without photoactivation, and to evaluate clinically and pathologically the
therapeutic effect of applying photodynamic therapy (PDT) to actinic keratosis
using photoactivated ACP-SL017.
"We are excited to be able to initiate the human clinical trial on this
novel compound for topical photodynamic treatment of actinic keratosis" said
Dr. Jaggi Rao, Principal Investigator for the trial. "This disease is a very
common pre-cancerous skin disorder which if left untreated, has the potential
to develop into more serious skin cancers."
Shareholders are reminded that the Company's Annual and Special meeting
will be held at 3.00pm, Thursday, September 15th at the Greenwood Inn in
Edmonton. Those unable to attend are encouraged to vote their proxies as
instructed in the package mailed to them on August 17th.
About Altachem Pharma Ltd
The Corporation is a publicly traded (TSX Venture Exchange: AAF),
Alberta-based pharmaceutical company committed to the development and
commercialization of new pharmaceutical products. It is developing a series of
products for the treatment of cancer and other proliferative diseases based on
its Photodynamic/Sonodynamic technology ("SonoLight") and its cyclin-dependant
kinase inhibitor platforms. As well as the Actinic Keratosis indication, the
Company is also developing a treatment for prostate cancer based on the
Sonolight technology. Altachem also has a profitable product in AccuMAb(TM), a
monoclonal-based diagnostic kit for whooping cough.
Except for historical information, this press release may contain
forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's current expectation
regarding future events. These forward-looking statements involve risk and
uncertainties, which may cause but are not limited to, changing market
conditions, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the
establishment of corporate alliances, the impact of competitive products and
pricing, new product development, uncertainties related to the regulatory
approval process and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's
ongoing quarterly and annual reporting.
"TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved of the
information contained herein."
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